FG confirms third case of Coronavirus

.Says contact tracing of persons who the patient had contact with has begun

.Bans foreign trips by govt officials, inaugurates task force on pandemic

The Federal Government has confirmed the third case of coronavirus disease otherwise referred to as (Covid-19) in Nigeria.

Minister of Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire, who made this known on Tuesday at a press briefing in Abuja on updates on Coronavirus, said that the patient is unconnected with the index case, the Italian who came to Nigeria from Milan, Italy.

Dr. Ehanire explained to journalists that the stringent surveillance efforts put in place by the Federal Ministry of Health (FMoH) led to the identification of the new case of the disease within the borders, bringing the total number of confirmed cases in Nigeria to three.

He said: “The latest case is a Nigerian national in her 30s, who returned from a short visit to the United Kingdom on March 13th.

“Fortunately, she decided, upon returning home, to go into a 14 day self-isolation, but subsequently developed symptoms of fever and cough on March 16, at which point she voluntarily called the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) toll-free call line, to report her condition.

“Officials from the Lagos State Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) were immediately dispatched to her home to collect samples, which upon testing came out positive for the coronavirus.

“The lady is currently at the Infectious Disease Hospital (IDH) in Yaba, where she has remained clinically stable and is responding to treatment”.

The minister further disclosed that Intensive contact tracing has begun, to help identify all persons who the patient had contact with since her return.

‘’We expect the number to be small, because of her sensible decision to go into self-isolation from the time of her arrival. We commend her for following the recommended guidelines to the letter.

“The Federal Ministry of Health (FMoH) will continue to assess the situation and adjust response accordingly.

“With regard to banning flights into Nigeria or social activities and festivals, I will provide an update after the deliberations of the Inter-Ministerial meeting of the Presidential Taskforce on Coronavirus, headed by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.

“The Federal Government of Nigeria will make further announcements. The Federal Ministry of Health continues to carry out the necessary risk assessments on a daily basis. The National Emergency Operations Centre and partners will work with Lagos State Health authorities in their response.

“It is important to note that many people who are infected with coronavirus will experience only mild symptoms and recover without incident. Of great concern are those with existing underlying medical conditions and senior citizens, who are known to be more vulnerable. We strongly advise these citizens to stay more at home”.

Dr. Ehanire, therefore, advised Nigerians to continue to maintain hand hygiene and respiratory etiquette, which has been repeatedly advised.

“All Nigerians are required to continue taking necessary precautions to protect themselves and their families. These measures include taking the following: Wash hands regularly with soap and water or use an alcohol-based sanitiser if no water and soap is available.

“Maintain at least 2 metres distance between yourself and anyone who is coughing or sneezing.

“Persons with a persistent cough or sneezing, should stay at home and maintain a distance in gatherings.

“Make sure you and people around you, follow good respiratory hygiene, which means covering your mouth and nose with a tissue or handkerchief when coughing or sneezing. If none is available, you can cough into your elbow or the sleeve of your dress. Dispose of the used tissue properly, into a dustbin’’, he added.

Meanwhile, the Federal Government has banned all government officials from embarking on foreign trips as the world continues to battle the COVID-19 disease.

The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, made the declaration on Tuesday after the inaugural meeting of the Presidential Task Force Team on the COVID-19.

He also urged Nigerians coming in from outside the country to self-isolate themselves for 14 days to ensure they do not pose a threat to their immediate environment.

Inaugurating the committee earlier, Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), said the composition of the task force would enable Nigeria in its multi-sectoral and intergovernmental approach to the national response.

“Actions taken by governments in different parts of the world point to the fact that COVID -19 constitutes a major threat to humanity and requires that our response must be firm, scientific, methodical and strategic.

”At this point, let me convey the appreciation of  President Muhammadu Buhari and the Minister of Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire and his team for efficiently rising to the challenge thus far, ” he said.

According to Mustapha, the timeline for the committee is six months to deliberate on the six terms of references given to them.

These include strengthening the national response strategy, particularly in the areas of testing, containment and management of COVID-19, strengthen collaboration with all tiers of Government, private sector, Faith-Based Organisations, civil societies, donors and partners.

Others were to build awareness among the populace, direct the deployment of any relevant national assets when necessary.

And also to lay a foundation for scientific and medical research to address all emerging infectious diseases and advise government on the declaration of national emergency as part of the containment measures when necessary.

In order to give the activities of the committee proper focus, the SGF said President Muhammadu Buhari had also approved the appointment of a National Coordinator in the person of Dr. Sani Aliyu.

According to him, Aliyu will manage the daily process, in collaboration with existing institutions and structures.

“The national coordinator will be responsible for cohesion and efficiency in the roles played by the different agencies, operating in the treatment of the national response strategy, ” he said.

The task force committee chaired by Boss Mustapha had the following members- Dr. Osagie Ehanire, Minister of Health, Mr. Geoffrey Onyeama, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Rauf Aregbesola, Minister of Interior, Mr. Hadi Sirika, Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Services.

Others were Mr. Adamu Adamu, Minister of Education, Alhaji Lai Muhammed, Minister of Information and Culture, Mr. Adeleke Mamora, Minister of State, Health, Alhaji Sulaiman Adamu, Minister of Environment.

The rest are Mr. Yusuf Bichi, Director-General, Department of State Services, Mr. Chikwe Ihekweazu, Director General, Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and WHO Country Representative in Nigeria, Dr. Wondimagegnehu Alemu.

Mustapha assured of the President’s commitment to supporting the committee in ensuring safety and wellbeing of all Nigerians.